Bermuda's cricketers did not produce any earth shattering performances in the Red Stripe Bowl in Guyana last year, but one youngster's life has been changed forever by their presence.

Shanganan (Shango) Singh, a 14-year-old wicketkeeper and opening batsman from Demerara has been befriended by several members of the Bermuda team, including captain Charlie Marshall, Tacoma Robinson, Janeiro Tucker, Sammy Robinson, Cleon Scotland, Irving Romaine and Dexter Smith, after meeting them during Bermuda's match with Trinidad and Tobago when he was helping out at the ground.

The friendship was so quick that Singh travelled with the team on the airplane when they flew to their next match. And when the Bermuda players left Guyana they left their new friend with two bats, two pairs of pads and batting and wicketkeeping gloves.

"I hope this is going to be a long term friendship,'' said Singh, speaking to the Royal Gazette on the weekend after making one of his twice-monthly Sunday night calls to Marshall.

"They came to the ground in my village to play and I met them.'' Bermuda lost all three of their matches to Trinidad and Tobago, Windward Island and Guyana to finish winless in the tournament. But they have a fan in Shanganan Singh.

"I think they can do better, they just have to play better cricket,'' he stated.

As well as regular phone calls to Marshall -- despite having to travel two miles to a relative's house to use their phone -- Singh has also written many of the players, including Robinson.

In the letter to Robinson he wrote: "I am writing to let you know how much I miss you guys. I really had a good time with you all.

"It was some of the most wonderful days of my life, days I will never, ever in my life forget. It was all because of you guys. I don't know how I can thank you but you are one of the best friends that I can have.'' Marshall, who works with youngsters at St. George's Cummunity Centre, was touched by the teenager's sincerity and friendliness.

"Each player took to him, they felt he was a nice kid,'' said Marshall who now carries a picture of the youngster in his wallet.

After first having lunch with the Bermuda players during their match with Trinidad, Singh then travelled with the Bermuda team the next day to watch the Trinidad and Guyana match as their guest.

The youngster was also on a plane the next day for the first time when Bermuda flew a half hour for their next match against Guyana, after manager Dennis Wainwright approved it.

"It was the first time he had been on a plane and he was amazed to be in the air,'' explained Marshall who admitted he, himself, is a reluctant flyer. "I was trying to avoid getting on the plane myself, it was such a small plane,'' said the Bermuda captain. "I was prepared to give him my seat and take a bigger plane.'' Now the youngster could find himself on a plane to Bermuda this summer for a short trip.

"I spoke to his parents about getting his passport together so he won't have any problems,'' said Marshall.

"He is very keen on his schoolwork and his parents are very supportive and willing to push him any way they can.'' Shanganan Singh CHARLIE MARSHALL -- hero to Guyanese boy